Coastal Exploration - Bay of Balandra Sea Kayaking Trip

The Balandra Natural Protected Area, located near La Paz, Baja California Sur, is an ecological paradise known for its natural beauty and biodiversity. With shallow crystal clear waters, mangroves, white sand beaches and the iconic “Balandra Mushroom”, this site is a symbol of conservation in the region. Declared a Flora and Fauna Protection Area, it protects delicate ecosystems and unique species, allowing low-impact activities such as kayaking, hiking and snorkeling. Balandra is a natural and cultural treasure, valued both for its ecological richness and its significance to local communities.

You will be able to observe a wide variety of marine and wildlife, such as: California sea lions, tropical fish, endemic ring-tailed cat (Babisuri), whales (seasonal), dolphins, manta rays, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, ospreys, frigate birds, herons and egrets.

CLOTHING

We recommend that your clothing is made of synthetic material such as capilene, nylon etc. for quick drying during November to April. Other months, cotton is fine.

• 1 or 2 Shorts
• 2 T-shirts
• Long sleeve paddling shirt with UV protection
• Clothing for fresh nights:
• Sweatshirt
• Long pants • Socks
• Sandals (chacos / Tevas) or closed shoe to get wet (tenis)
• Hiking shoes
• 1 or 2 swimsuits
• Towel
• Underwear
• Rain jacket or wind proof jacket
• Long sleeve and licra short to swim (optional)

MISCELLANEOUS

• Sun hat or Cap
• Sunglasses with strap
• Beanie / Warm hat (december-march)
• Sleeping bag:
  • October - November: 5°C a 10°C
  • December - March: 0°C
  • April - May: 5°C a 10°C
• Buff / Bandana with UV protection
• Personal water bottle and/or Camelback (1 lt.)
• Small backpack for hikes
• Camping mug
• Headlamp
• Snorkel set (mask, snorkel, and fins)
• Short wetsuit (optional) (December - April)
• Compact camping pillow (optional)
• Paddling gloves (optional)
• Camera (optional)
• Solar charger or power bank (optional)
• Reading book (optional)
• Small dry bag for personal items (optional)
• Carabiner to attach the water bottle to the kayak (optional)
• For Expedition mode only: Folding camping chair (optional - dimensions: 12” x 4.5”

TOILETRIES

• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Biodegradable insect repellent
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Body cream
• Hair comb or brush
• Personal medications
• Basic medications (headache, diarrhea, cold, etc.)
• Feminine hygiene products (menstrual cup / sanitary pads / tampons)
• Wet wipes for personal hygiene (optional)

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

• Identification or Passport
• Flight tickets
• Wallet
• Credit card (you’ll find ATMs in La Paz to withdraw Mexican pesos)

CAMPING GEAR

The following camping gear is included in your trip. INDÔMITO can provide the following items, but you need to reserve them on your registration form:

• Shared tent (2 people per tent)
• Therma Rest sleeping pad
• Dry bag (20 - 30 liters)
• Chair (only for Fully Catered trips)

The Fully Catered mode is a 100% fully supported trip. We’ll have a support motor boat that will accompany us throughout the journey. All you’ll need to do is paddle from one beach to another and set up your tent, where delicious meals, cold drinks, shade, and a ready-made camp will be waiting for you to continue enjoying.

The Expedition mode is pure adventure. We load ALL the equipment onto our kayaks and work together to set up the kitchen, assemble the camp, and prepare delicious local dishes. On this trip, we won’t have a support motor boat— just us, the guide, and the kayaks.

For Expedition Mode: All equipment, food, and water will go inside the kayak’s dry compartments. Therefore, your personal belongings (clothing and other items) should be packed in a medium-sized dry bag that does not exceed 20-30 liters. Other personal equipment, such as your tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and snorkeling gear, can be stored directly in your kayak, each in its respective bags. If your sleeping bag doesn’t come with a bag or if it is not wa- water-resistant, we recommend placing it inside a trash bag for extra protection. For Fully Catered Trips: Type of trip: fully catered All your gear will be carried in the motorboat, so you DO NOT NEED to pack your personal gear in a dry bag. Instead, we recommend you pack everything into one or two duffel bags. However, you can bring your belongings pretty much in any kind of bag that you do not mind getting sandy. Bags with wheels are not recommended. You might want to have a small dry bag for your phone or small items. We can also lend you our expedition dry bags (when available) but please be aware that they are 30lts and bigger.

We use the following scale to define the level of physicality of our trips:

Easy: Suitable for all healthy people who engage in physical activity. • Physical activity per day: 3 - 5 hours. • Trip duration: 2 - 4 days.

Moderate: Suitable for all healthy people who engage in regular physical activity. • Physical activity per day: 3 - 5 hours. • Trip duration: 4 - 7 days.

Challenging: Suitable for people who are physically active and have some experience in kayaking. • Physical activity per day: 6 - 8 hours. • Trip duration: 7 to 11 days.

Level 1:

• Location: Coastal waters with easy access to sheltered areas.
• Distance per day: 8-10 km (5-6 miles)
• Recommended kayak skills: No prior skills required. Trip mode: Fully catered

Level 2:

• Location: Coastal waters with easy-to- access shelters.
• Distance per day: 8-15 km (5-9 miles)
• Recommended kayak skills: No prior skills required.
• Trip mode: Expedition.

Level 3:

• Location: Coastal waters with limited access to sheltered areas.
• Distance per day: 15-20 km (9-12 miles)
• Recommended kayak skills: Good balance. Paddling knowledge helps.
• Trip mode: Expedition.

Wind Wind is a very common factor in Baja California Sur. If you decide to do this trip, you should consider that paddling with wind might be a possibility. Sometimes, the sea can be too rough for paddling. If this is the case, itineraries and locations could vary. Port Closures We understand that weather conditions can be unpredictable, and the safety of our travelers is our priority. If the Port Authority of La Paz decides to close the port due to adverse weather conditions before or during your experience, we will adjust the itinerary to ensure your safety, either by advancing or delaying the start or end of the trip. INDÔMITO will cover an additional night of accom- modation and the corresponding meals to ensure you are well taken care of. If it becomes necessary to extend the stay beyond one night due to the same cause, we unfortunately will not be able to cover these additional costs, but we will be happy to assist you with the logistics. INDÔMITO highly recommends purchasing travel insurance in case the trip needs to be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.

As much as you decide!

If you want to join the kitchen, our guides will be happy to teach you our recipes and local customs.

Remember that you will travel with a group of people willing to collaborate to create together an unforgettable experience, where mutual support will be key to living every moment to the fullest.

These are active trips. We will spend much of the time paddling, but when we reach each beach the possibilities are many: snorkeling, hiking, playing board games or simply enjoying the sunset.

It's your journey and we invite you to live it however you want!

The people who visit us are nature lovers looking for adventure and connection with the environment. People who are not only looking for a trip, but are looking for a challenge and an enriching experience.

Family and friend groups are repeat customers who enjoy trips every year.

It's a destination like no other!

The pristine beaches, cliffs, mangroves, dunes and rock formations are the landscapes that accompany us on every trip. The Sea of ​​Cortez (known as the aquarium of the world) allows us to see dolphins, whales, and manta rays during trips and gives us the opportunity to observe thousands of fish every time we go snorkeling.

During the trips, the guides and cooks prepare dishes using local and seasonal ingredients that highlight the cultural richness of the region.

Sometimes we buy fish from local fishermen and accompany the afternoons with a Happy Hour that cannot be missed.

Many of our guests ask about tipping the guides on their trip. It is customary within the industry and a fair guideline is around 5-10% of the trip fee. Please allow your satisfaction with our service to be the best judge of how much you would like to tip. Gratuities are shared evenly amongst the entire crew. We kindly request cash only as checks, and credit cards create complications and taxes.

We suggest having enough cash to cover any unforeseen personal expenses, both before and after your expedition with INDÔMITO. We advise having access to an emergency fund for any unexpected situations that may arise. Mexico’s official currency is Mexican Pesos. Merchants and businesses are no longer allowed to change U.S. dollars for pesos, but they will tell you the location of the nearest currency exchange office. You can withdraw U.S. dollars from your bank at home before traveling to Mexico. However, if you have U.S. dollars, there are some places where you can exchange them for Mexican pesos, for example: Currency exchange offices: You will usually find a currency exchange counter at internation- al airports throughout Mexico; these can be identified by the “Exchange” sign. You will have to show your passport to be able to exchange money. The exchange rate is usual shown as “buy” or “purchase”, which shows how many pesos you will receive for each dollar. Banks: Not all banks provide the service of exchanging pesos and dollars, and some require you to have an account with them. Ask some- one at your hotel to tell you about the location of the nearest bank where tourists can exchange their currency. You will also need a valid passport to make the exchange. Automated Teller Machine (ATM’s): One of the most convenient ways to buy pesos is by using an ATM. You will often receive better exchange rates, even though you must pay a service fee, as with most ATMs outside your bank network. Please do not accept any help from people who are not bank employees. Credit card: If you have a credit card, you will find that it provides one of the best exchange rates. Although you will not receive pesos directly, your monthly balance usually shows the exchange rate you received on purchases made with the credit card.

We recommend purchasing travel insurance, as flight delays or cancellations can occur, potentially affecting your itinerary and causing inconveniences.

While you’re traveling, you can leave extra luggage in IN- DÔMITO’s storage. Valuable items can be left in the IN- DÔMITO office where they will be safe.

We need a minimum of 4 people to run any scheduled group trip. For private trips between October and April, we require at least 10 participants. In May, we can organize private trips with a minimum of 8 people.